Allergy-Proof Your Home Before Spring With These Tips
Spring is almost here and that means that
it's allergy season for a lot of people. If you feel like allergy season
is getting worse every year, you are not wrong. According to the
American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, allergy season is
longer now because of rising temperatures and increasing levels of
carbon dioxide.
Anyone who suffers from allergies will know
that it can be tough to even open a window for fear of letting in any
unnecessary allergens and triggering their allergic reaction.
Unfortunately, many allergens - like molds, house dust, dust mites, and
pet dander - live inside the house too. And if you don’t give your
living space a good cleaning job consistently, then these allergens will
pile up in no time. Cleaning your house correctly can remove allergens
and make life a little easier for allergy sufferers. However, knowing
how to do the job correctly is essential. Otherwise, your allergies may
get even worse.
Here are some household cleaning tips that will be quite beneficial for
people with allergies. If you want to keep those itchy eyes and sneezing
fits at bay, follow these tips the next time you are cleaning your
house.
1. Vacuum regularly
Regular vacuuming of your home should be the first step in managing your
allergies. Brooms tend to kick up more dust than they remove and are
hence not ideal for people with allergies. Vacuuming once or twice a
week should reduce the dust in your home to a minimum. Start with the
bedroom and then move to the living areas. Remember to remove the dust
from ceiling fans and light fixtures first and then focus on window
sills, mantles, horizontal surfaces, wooden furniture, and upholstery.
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology recommends
using a vacuum with a small-particle or HEPA filter. That’s because some
allergens are so small that they can easily pass through a regular
vacuum filter.
S
2. Clean your bedroom thoroughly every week
We spend most of our time in the bedroom
and hence it is essential to clean it thoroughly every week. Always
start at the top and make sure that there are no little cobwebs left in
the corners. Then, work your way down by dusting ceiling fans and light
fixtures. Blinds and curtains should be dusted too, although the
curtains should also be washed weekly. Lastly, vacuum the floor and your
upholstered furniture. Make sure to clean the areas beneath the
furniture and bed, including the corners.
Other tips to keep your bedroom allergen-free:
* Use washable area rugs in the bedroom and clean them regularly.
* Keep pets out of the bedroom, particularly the bed, as they can carry many allergens with them.
* To reduce the transfer of allergens from clothing, keep the closet doors closed.
* To store unused items, use covered plastic bins as they can be cleaned easily.
3. Wash sheets weekly in hot water
Make it a habit to wash your bedsheets,
pillowcases, and blankets weekly in hot water. Experts say that the
ideal temperature for washing your sheets should be at least 130 F (54.4
C) as that will be hot enough to kill all the dust mites in them. If
there are any children in the house with allergies, wash all their
stuffed toys at the same temperature.
Also, if you have allergies then never hang your bedding (or clothes)
outside to dry. Outdoor pollens can easily latch onto your sheets and
then enter your body when you use them. Another handy tip is to cover
your pillows, mattresses, and box springs in dust mite-proof cases.
4. Remove mold and mildew growth from the bathroom
If you have a mold allergy, then your immune
system might get affected after you breathe in mold spores. It can
cause symptoms like itchy eyes and cough. Unfortunately, bathrooms are
prone to mold and mildew, because the moisture and heat provide the
perfect habitat for mold spores. Solutions like chlorine bleach,
hydrogen peroxide, or any good mildew cleaner, can be really handy in
stopping and removing mildew growth.
Another way to prevent additional mildew growth in the bathroom is to
install an exhaust fan and use it every time you take a shower. Washing
the bathroom rugs, bathmats, and shower curtains from time to time would
also be a good idea as that can help prevent mildew growth.
To reduce the moisture in your bathroom, wipe down the walls and floors
with a microfiber cloth after every shower. Allow the room to properly
air out by leaving the doors open after you leave.
5. The right laundry products can make a difference
Choosing the right laundry products can be vital for those with
sensitive skin. Avoid products that contain chemicals like ammonia,
D-limonene, formaldehyde, sodium hypochlorite, and sodium lauryl sulfate
- these have been identified as potentially irritating to the skin.
Look for detergents and stain removal products that are unscented and
free of dyes. There are many good detergents and cleaners that don’t
contain dyes or synthetic fragrances and are hypoallergenic. They should
be perfect for allergy-sufferers. You can also search for laundry
products that contain plant-based ingredients as they will be gentle on
the skin.
6. Tackle the moisture in the kitchen
To prevent the growth of mold and mildew in
the kitchen, use a vented exhaust fan which should reduce moisture. You
should also keep a regular eye on the sink, refrigerator, and freezer
for any leaks. Don't forget to clean the refrigerator once a week and
get rid of all the moldy or stale food from it.
Other tips to keep your kitchen allergen-free:
* Wipe the floors of the kitchen and clean the countertops daily.
* Wash the dishes between each meal and leave them for air-drying so that no moisture is collected in them.
* Store all the food in covered containers.
* Clean all the cabinets and drawers in the kitchen each season so that any crumbs and dust are removed.
* Empty the trash can every alternate day.
7. De-clutter the house
A surefire way to reduce household
allergens is by minimizing the clutter. Look around and check if you
have piles of boxes or clothing lying around in different corners of the
house. They can easily trap dust and hide allergens like dust mites and
little insects. So without wasting any time, try and remove the clutter
and reduce the dust catchers from the living spaces in your house. Get
rid of the things you don’t need and keep the rest in specific places.
8. Clean outside entryways
Keeping the front entryways of your house
clean doesn’t just make the area look nice, it also ensures that dust,
dirt, and pollen are prevented from entering your home. So, clean your
outside entryways once a week by sweeping or by using a hosepipe.
Another helpful habit is to have everyone in the house keep their shoes
outside before entering. Don’t forget that the bottoms of your shoes
hold stuff like dust, bird droppings, animal excrement, and other little
debris that can be really harmful to people with allergies. If you
can’t keep your footwear outside the house, then pile them on a shoe
rack in an entry area so that pollens are kept at bay.
9. Clean the air filters of your central heating and cooling systems
The modern HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and
Air Conditioning) systems are designed to filter allergens like dust
mites and pollen when they become airborne. However, if you don’t clean
or replace the air filters of your central heating and cooling systems,
they could become overloaded with allergens and start blowing them back
out throughout the home.
Clean or replace your HVAC filters every two to three months if you have
allergies. It would also be a good idea to have your heating and air
conditioning units inspected and serviced every six months as they can
hold mildew and mold which can end up in your indoor air through the air
conditioning cycles.